LTFRB awaiting MRTSI response to franchise issuance opposition

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 said Metro Rapid Transit System Inc. (MRTSI) still has to respond to the opposition of Cebu transport groups on its request for the granting of franchise for it to operate 77 buses.

LTFRB-7 Director Rey Elnar said that after MRTSI’s submission of its reply today, the various groups opposing the petition would then be asked to submit their counter-reply.

He said that if any of the parties are not contented with LTFRB’s decision later on, then the matter would be referred to the Department of Transportation and Communications for decision.

Last October 16, LTFRB-7 conducted a public hearing on the application of MRTSI for the issuance of franchise to its 77 buses.

During the public hearing, several transport groups, including the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the Visayan United Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association, the Cebu South Mini- Bus Operators Association, and the National Confederation of Transport Union-Visayas, vehemently opposed the said application.

They wanted LTFRB to deny the application for lack of tangible importance.

In their opposition, the transport groups said that aside from the many infirmities they see in the application, they are opposing it because of its adverse effect to the entire transport industry.

“The entry of additional bus units of the applicant will definitely contribute largely to the worsening traffic situation of Metro Cebu,” they said.

MRTSI lawyer Jomar Castillo, however, expressed confidence that the application would be approved by DOTC.

“We strongly believe in the merits of our application. It has passed through the review of the DOTC and we are subject to the franchise process of LTFRB,”  Castillo earlier said.

MRTSI is a joint venture of SM Holdings Inc. and Jam Transport.

Castillo said that their franchise applications are endorsed by the local government units of the cities of Talisay, Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

He said that they expect 20 more buses to arrive in Cebu on November 16.  (FREEMAN)